Electric flasher sign



F. J. REICHMAN N. ELECTRIC FLASHER SIGN. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-19,1917.

E 8 2% mm E m d2 6 m m D F. J. REICHMANN.

ELECTRIC FLASHER SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTAQ, 1917- 1,407, 05, Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNETED STATES PATENT OFFIC- FRANK J'. REICI-IMANN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

.ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN PRODUCTION AND TRADING COMPANY, OF GHICAGG, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC rLAsHER SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

Application filed September 19, 1917. Serial No. 192,189.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. REIOHMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Flasher Signs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in illuminated signs, and is more particularly concerned with signs of the portable electric flasher type.

The main and primary object of the present invention is the provision of a flasher sign which embodies features of structure adapting the same for the interchangeable display of various subjects, the construction being such as to permit changes in the matter displayed to be made with facility and ease. The sign is, therefore, capable of extended use by merchants and others for ad.- vcrtising wares and products at various periods and under varying conditions without the expense or inconvenience of employing more than a single sign.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction and arrangement by which an advertiser may be assured that when the sign is distributed by him for advertising his particular business the same will be used for such purpose, andnot for the advertising of competing-or diversified lines. Large advertisers may thus distribute a number of signs embodying the present invention to jobbers, retailers and others handling their wares, for thepurpose of afford ing desired publicity to the latter, without liability of the signs being used by such jobbers and retailers for purposes other than what is intended by the distributor.

Furthermore, the invention contemplates the provision of a sign of such construction that when used as a single publicity medium the matter to be displayed, may be quickly and easily inserted within and removed from the body of the sign, and thereby enable an expeditious change of the dis played subject matter when such is desired.

A further object sought to be attained by the present invention is the provision of a sign in which the parts are so coordinated and arranged as to permit production of the sign with the greatest economy in the amount of the material employed, thus reducing the cost of manufacture to a minimum.

\Vith these general objects in view, and others which will appear as the nature of the improvement is better understood, the invention consists substantially in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illus-. trated in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the accompanyingdrawings where1n Fig. 1 1S a side elevation, partlally 111 section, of an electric flasher sign constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig, 2 is a sectional plan view thereof on the line 2-2, of Fig. 1;

Fig. '3 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Y

, Fig. 4' is a fragmentary elevation of one corner of the removable carrier frame and the display sheet which is associated therewith, illustrating the manner in which the sheet is mounted therein;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is also a fragmentary elevation of a portion of the removable carrier frame, illustrating an alternative form of fastening means for the display sheet;

Fig; 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. ('3' Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank from which the body of the sign is formed in its condition before being folded or bent to its final shape.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 10 designates the body of the herein described sign, constructed in the form shown preferably of sheet metal, and said body is provided with a rethat the flashing mechanism may be of any which may be of any desired configuration, but 18 preferably rectangular, and said face plate. 17 has a panel opening 18 therein through which the subject matter may be seen. At the upper edge of this opening 18, and integral with the face plate 17, is the horizontally disposed top 19 of the lamp box, while at the lower edge of said opening 18, and similarly connected to the face plate 17, the bottom 20 of said box. The end portions of the top and bottom 19 and 20, respectively, are cut at angles, as clearly seen in Figure '2, the edges of the top and bottom being provided with fastening nibs 21 which passthrough slots 22 in a back plate 23 that constitutes the rear wall of the lamp box. Therear'wall 23 is bent about the angularly cut edges of the top 19 and bottom 20, as illustrated in Figure 2, the fastening nibs 21 being bent against the wall 23 and thus holding the latter in associated relation with the top 19 and bottom 20. This rearwall 23 is also provided with marginal flanges '24 which are bent onto the top 19 and bottom 20, and thus effectually seal the meeting edges of the rear wall 23 with the top and bottom against the passage of the light} It will be noted that the extremities of the rear wall 23 are spaced somewhat from the' rear face of the face plate 17 to permit the free movement of the removable carrier frame 11 in its introduction to and removal from the sign. It will also be observed that at one extremity of the rear wall 23 a vertically-disposed stop flange 25 is provided, said, flange extending across the path of movement of the carrier frame 11, and thus limiting the movement of said frame when the same is inserted within the body of the sign.

The top 19 and bottom 20 are also each provided'with guides 26 and 27, respectively, which guides are substantially Ll-shaped in cross section, and formedby suitably folding the top 19 and bottom 20, said:

. guides receiving the upper and lower edges Cir of the carrier frame 11, and by referring to Figure 3 it will also be noted that said guides 26 and 27 are reversely inclined with respect to each other, each :being slightly disposed at an angle to the plane of the face plate 17. The purpose of this will presently appear. p

The carrier frame 11 includes an upper rail28 and a lower rail 29 and end stiles 30. Each of said upper and lower rails is bent into substantially U -shape and includes a base flange 31 and a clamping flange 82, the base flange being relatively broader than the clamping flange. This is to be displayed also true of the construction of the end stiles30, which include base flanges 33 and clampingflanges 3%, said end stiles being likewise bent into U-shapes. The ends of the stiles 30 have formed thereon fastening nibs which extend through slots formed in the bend of the upper and lower rails 28 and 29, and said fastening nibs are folded over and pressed down onto the top and bottom rails 28 and 29, thereby securing the stiles 30 to said top and bottom rails. This construction is clearly illustrated in Figs. 4t and 5. The contiguous end of the clampingflanges32 and 3 1 are mitered, as at 36, so that said flan es may be symmetrically folded with respect to each other, and thereby be able to lie in the same plane.

When the flanges 32' and 3 1 of the rails andstiles are-folded upon the flanges 31 and 33 of these particular elements, and pressed into close engagement therewith, said flanges 32 and 3 1afi'ord an effectual means for clamping the edges of the display sheet 12 upon the supporting flanges 31 and 33 of said rails and stiles. The display sheet is thus effectively gripped along opposite margins and-after the display sheet is so positioned on the carrier frame, the rails 28 and 29 are bent at an angle to the body of said frame that will correspond with the angular position of the guides 26 and .27. 1 This tensions the display sheet 13, by drawing it across the inner margins of the supporting fianges'and thus holds the same upon the frame 11 in a smooth condition and free from wrinkles. It will be understood, of course, that'when the frame 11 is introduced to the body of the sign the upper and lower rails 28 and 29.

thereof axe-received by the guides 26 and 27, which guides hold the display frame 11 in proper positionwithin the body.

It hasbeen stated that one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel construction and arrangement by which an advertiser may be assured that when the sign is distributed by him for advertising his particular business the samewill be used for such purpose, and not for theadvertising of competing or diversified lines. Thisis particularly desirable where large advertisers distribute a number of signsto jobbers, retailers and others handling their wares. Were no provision made for preventing the same, it would be possible withunscrupulous jobbers and retailers to procure carrier frames and display sheets bearing advertising matter other than that for which the sign was intended, and to substitute such frames and display sheets for those furnished by the advertiser. 1 In order to preclude this, the present invention contemplates a key system embracing suitable cooperating ele-' ments inthe-body ofthe sign and the carrier Cir frame throughthe medium of which only one particular style or type of carrier frame may be used with the particular body placed in the hands of the particular jobber or retailer. The particular key system exemplified herein is constituted by one or more offsets formed in the stiles of the carrier frame, indicated by the numeral 87, which offsets register with and pass through notches 38 formed in the end of the rear wall 23 at the mouth portion of the box into which the carrier frame 12 is inserted when introducing the frame to the box. For each advertiser by whom signs are distributed there will be a particular grouping or ar rangemeut, as well as number, of the offsets 37 and their corresponding notches 38. Various combinations of these may be arranged as will readily suggest themselves in order to differentiate from the other boxes and carrier frames to be employed therewith, so that each advertisers signs has its distinctive key. Therefore, carrier frames with other key arrangements of the offset 37 cannot be employed with the lamp box having a differ ently arranged series of notches, which specilic arrangement of notches restricts the use of the box to the particular carrier frame having the arrangement of offsets corresponding with the arrangement of notches thereof. FUltl'lQlTlDOIQ, by disposing the guides 26 and 27 in angular relation to the face plate 17 hereinbefore described, such' angular disposition will also serve to restrict the use of slides to only those which have their upper and lower rails bent in accord ance with the angularity of said guides.

. The formation of the offsets 37 requires that the display sheet 12 shall be properly fitted thereto, and those portions of the sheet 12 which are contiguous to the offsets are cut out or notched, as at 39, so that the edge of the sheet may be fitted around the offset which is next adjacent thereto.

In Figures 6 and 7 is disclosed an alternative arrangement for fastening the dis play sheet 12 to the carrier frame 11. This change includes the punching out of the base flange 31 to provide resilient clamping fingers 10. The edges of the display sheet 12 are folded over the outer edges of the rail or stile, as the case may be, and. the free edge is passed between the clamping fingers 40 and the supporting flange 31. This provides for an expeditious application of the display sheet to and removal from the carrier frame.

In Figure 8 is disclosed a blank from which the face plate'17 and the top 19 and bottom 20 of the body are produced. After being cut to the desired external configuration the blank is freed of the portions of material. within the triangular spaces designated by the numeral 41, which triangular spaces constitute the only portions of the blank not utilized. Cutting on the central longitudinal line 42 produces the edges of the top and bottom 19 and 20, respectively, and said edges are scored to provide the fastening I nibs 21. The transverse lines of cut 43terminating in the lateral nicks 4A afford abutment flanges 45 at the inner edges of the end portions of the face plate 17, against which abutments the carrier frame 11 is adapted to rest. The external edges of the blank are folded upon themselves to provide tensioning beads as around the outer edge of the face plate 17.

While the construction herein shown and described is based upon a sheet metal construction, it will be obvious that the invention may be embodied in structures of other materials.

Furthermore, the source of light neednot be an electric lamp, nor one, of the flasher type. Any other sort of luminant may be employed.

' In addition to the restrictive use of the carrier frame 11 imposed by the offsets 37, they possess the further advantage that any attempt to adapt the frame for use with boxes other than permittedby the specific key arrangement, as by the destruction of the offsets, will render the frame incapable of any use whatever. The offsets form distinct component parts of the frame.

I claim:

1. A display device comprising a face frame member formed with a display opening, the portions of the frame member at opposite margins of the display opening being deflected rearwardly from the face plane thereof to form opposite walls, and a wall member joining the margins of said deflected portions to maintain them at the desired angularity and form a housing behind the display opening.

2. A display device comprising a face frame member formed with a display opening, the portions of the frame member at opposite margins of the display opening be.- ing deflected from the face plane thereof to form opposite walls, and a lamp supported between said 'alls behindv the display open a 3. A sign of the class described, comprising a light box including a front plate provided with a display opening, top andbottom members integrally connected with said front plate at the top and bottom edges of said display opening and extending at right angles to said front'plate, a rear wall arranged in over-lapping relation with respect to said top and bottom members, means for uniting said rear wall to said top and bottom members, the top and bottom members being provided with aligned guides, the front plate having abutment flanges formed at opposite portions of said display opening, and a display sheet carrier slidably mounted in the aligned guides of said top and Cit bottom members, the abutment flanges of said front plate serving as supports, for said display sheet carrier when the latter is introduced to the box.

41-. A sign of the class described, comprising a light box provided with a display opening at one of its sides, body members arranged at opposite sides of said display opening, an inclined guide formed in each of said body members adjacent to said display opening, and a removable display sheet carrier fitted in said guides and having opposite edge portions bent at an angle to the plane of the carrier and conforming to the angle of inclination of said guides.

A sign of the class described, the coin bination of a body having a display opening, a display sheet a carrier removably associated with the body to support the display sheet at the opening, and cooperating key elements associated with said bodyand display sheet carrier to restrict'the use of the body to a predetermined character of sheet carrier.

6. A sign of the class described, comprising a body formed with a display opening, a display sheet carrier removably associated therewith, a display sheet carried by said carrier and interfitting key elements included in said body-and display sheet car ier arranged to permit mounting of the carrier on the body in position to support the display sheet at the display opening and effective to restrict the use of the carrier to a predetermined character of body between.

7. A sign of the class described, coin prising the combination of a supporting frame including a display opening, a display sheet carrier movably associated with the frame, a display sheet supported on the carrier, key elements on the carrier, and

'means included in the frame for accommodatiing said key elements whenthe carrier is supported on the frame to permit movement of the display sheet to display position.

8. A sign of the class described, comprising a light box, and a display sheet carrier associated therewith, said sheet carrier including a frame formed of parallel rails, parallel stiles extending between said rails, each of said rails and said stiles being bent to provide supporting flanges and clamping flanges of different transverse dimensions, means for connecting the stiles of said rails, a display sheet arranged upon said supporting flanges and held thereon by said clampangle relative to ing flanges, opposite portions of said "rams being reversely inclined to tension the display sheet in relation'to said carrier, and guides associated with said light box for. receiving the inclined portions of said frame.

9. A display device comprising a face frame member formed with a display opening, the portions of the frame member between opposne margins of the display opening being deflected from the face plane thereof to form opposite walls, and a display device maintained by said walls behind the display opening;

10. In a display device, a face plate forming a frame affording a display opening,

portions of said face plate being deflected from the normal plane thereof at opposite margins of'said display opening to form opposite wall portions, other portions of the face plate belng deflected from the plane thereof along the other margins of the display opening to afford abutments, betweensa d wall portions, and a display member maintained in association with the display opening by said wall and abutment portions."

11. In a changeable display device, a frame affording a display opening, a display member slidableon said frame in association with the display opening, said frame having a guide slot extending at an the normal plane of the display member, and the display member having a portion extending at an angle to its normal plane and adapted to move longitudinally in said slot upon relative sliding movement of the frame and display member.

12. In a: display device, the combination of a frame formed with opposite longitudinrillypairallel groovesand affording a dislay opening, and a display member slidable 1 i r u n r longitudinally in said groovesfor association with said displayopening, one of said grooves and the portion'of the display member cooperating therewith extending at an angle from the normal plane of the "display member. I

In testimony whereof 'I have hereunto signed'my nameln thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

I I FRANK J fREICH-MANN.

Witnesses: ,i i WM. Nnvanne GROMWELL, MARY Bnowsn.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,407,805, granted February 28,

1922, upon the application of Frank J Reichmann, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improvement in Electric Flasher Signs, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 35, claim 6, strike out the Word between, and line 73, claim 10, for the word at read between; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of April, A. 1)., 1922.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

